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Introduction: Multiculturalism and Religion

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Religiosity and Recognition

Part of the book series: Palgrave Politics of Identity and Citizenship Series ((CAL))

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Abstract

This chapter outlines the focus, scope and rationale for the book and introduces its main argument in relation to multiculturalism and religious identity. In this vein, it discusses the contemporary context of the UK in relation to three dimensions: Christian, secular and plural, and establishes the problem(s) and debates being addressed in the book in relation to these. It also introduces the study in relation to converts to Islam. It discusses the methodology of the research as part of the theoretical approach the book adopts, thereby setting the scene for the detailed analyses to come, as well as outlines the sample and other methodological considerations.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/united-kingdom/religious_restrictions#/?region_name=Europe&restrictions_year=2016.

  2. 2.

    We might also note that coming the same year as the initial l’affaire du foulard in France, and of course the issue of the inclusion of Muslims and Islam has become a wider European concern.

  3. 3.

    See: https://www.religiousstudiesproject.com/podcast/podcast-linda-woodhead-on-the-secularisation-thesis/.

  4. 4.

    Flanagan is a rare example of a sociologist bridging with theology throughout his work.

  5. 5.

    Figures were also high in two other countries analysed, 60% in the Netherlands and over half in France

  6. 6.

    In an interview on The Sacred podcast. Available at https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2019/10/24/the-sacred-51-linda-woodhead.

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  1. University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

    Thomas Sealy

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Sealy, T. (2021). Introduction: Multiculturalism and Religion. In: Religiosity and Recognition. Palgrave Politics of Identity and Citizenship Series. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-75127-2_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-75127-2_1

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